Parliament Pays Tributes To Former President Kalam; Hails Him As 'Real Gem', 'True Son'

NEW DELHI: Paying glowing tributes to former President A P J Abdul Kalam, the Union Cabinet today passed a resolution saying the country has lost "a visionary scientist, a true nationalist and a great son".

The meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressed its profound sorrow at the sad demise of former President of India yesterday in Shillong.

In the resolution, it said, "in his passing away the country has lost a visionary scientist, a true nationalist and a great son".

Both Houses of Parliament adjourned for the day after paying glowing tributes to Kalam.

Lok Sabha will now meet on July 30 to enable members attend Kalam's funeral tomorrow while Rajya Sabha will have its sitting tomorrow.

A seven-day mourning has been declared by the Government.

The last rites of Kalam will take place at his birthplace in Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu tomorrow at the request of his family members, sources in the government said after the Cabinet meeting.

Kalam's body was flown in here from Guwahati in a special IAF aircraft.

Prime Minister Modi, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikkar and three Service Chiefs, received the mortal remains of Kalam at the Palam airport where a tri-services guard of honour was given.

The casket containing the mortal remains of Kalam will be taken from Palam to his residence at 10 Rajaji Marg in a gun carriage, where people can pay homage to the late President from 3 PM onwards.

The Cabinet extended its heart-felt condolences to the bereaved family on behalf of the government and the entire nation.

The former President had breathed his last at Bethany Hospital, Shillong, Meghalaya yesterday after he suffered a massive cardiac arrest and collapsed during his lecture at the IIM.